June 6, 2013
(Anderson, SC). Raymondeze Rivera was sentenced to life in prison today by the Honorable Lawton McIntosh for the murder of Kwana Burns in December of 2006. Rivera was convicted in 2008 for the murder of Asha Wiley and was tried in 2010 for the murder of Kwana Burns. The conviction in the 2010 case was overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
“Raymondeze Rivera is a violent and dangerous man who has shown no remorse for his crimes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “It is disappointing that a South Carolina Supreme Court poverturned Rivera’s previous death penalty conviction. I am confident that if we took this case to trial again, we would secure another death penalty verdict. Many factors, however, go in to the decision of whether or not to proceed with a new trial and our primary concern is what is best for the victim’s family. After lengthy discussions with the family, we have mutually agreed that the emotional burden of a new trial would be too great and the best course is a guilty plea that ensures Rivera will never again be a free man. It is my hope that today’s plea will help the family to continue to heal from the loss of Kwana Burns and keep them from having to ever again see the inside of a courtroom.”